Snow disposal machine



2 Sheets-Sheet l C. V. GETTI sNow DISPOSAL MACHINE WWW Nov. 5, 1968 Filed March 2,

Nov. 5, 1968 c. v. GETTI SNOW DISPOSAL MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1967 m. .MQ

INVENTOR. BY @Qu/Wawy 5mm Corrado V. Gef/l' United States Patent O,

3,409,006 SNOW DISPOSAL MACHINE 'Corrado V. Getti, y9 Town and Country Court,

Utica, N.Y. 13502 Filed Mar. 2, 1967, Ser. No. 620,188 10 Claims. (Cl. 126-3435) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE The instant invention generally relates to a snow disposal machine, and is more particularly concerned with apparatus adapted to receive collected snow from dump trucks or the like and subsequently completely disposing of both the snow and the debris normally associated with suchv loads of snow.

A major snow removal problem particularly prevalent in larger cities is the actual disposal of the snow subsequent to its removal from the streets. Such snow is often trucked long distances at great expense or, as is equally unsatisfactory, piled in high banks to each side of the street, and in many instances over the various sidewalks bordering the streets. Accordingly, it lis a primary object of the instant invention to provide a means for the disposal of large volumes of snow utilizing the conventional sewer system of the particular municipality involved and requiring the trucking of loaded snow for only extremely short distances.

Basically, in achieving this object, the instant 'invention is to comprise snow removal apparatus .which is adapted to be mounted below ground level at any readily available location, such as for example public or private park- -ing lots, side roads, etc. This apparatus is to include a barrier defining series of grate sections which, when closed, constitute a portion of the road bed or parking lot area capable of sustaining any of the normally expected loads, whether it be cars passing thereover or cars parked thereon. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the only time the particular space under which the machine is located will not be available for normal uses, will be during snow emergencies when it becomes necessary to dispose of large quantities of snow. The actual disposal operation includes the passing of dump truck loads of snow through a pulverizing unit, and subsequently onto and through a heating unit which, in conjunction with the pulverized state of the snow, effects a thorough melting of the snow for disposal through a subjacent storm sewer or the like communicated directly with the sewer system. In addition, in order to avoid any clogging of the sewers, special provision is made for the lateral disposal of any debris which might have been included in the snow load.

In providing such an apparatus, it is also a particularly significant object of the invention to devise a machine which is both, economical to manufacture and extremely simple in operation, notwithstand-ing the uniqueness associated therewith.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIGURE l is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the snow disposal machine comprising the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3 3 of FIG- URE l; A

FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the drive for the debris removal unit; and

FIGURE 5` is a schematic illustration, in perspective, of the manner in which the machine covering grates cooperate, in their open position, in the formation of a safety barrier.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the snow disposal machine of the instant invention. This machine 10 includes a buried, central enlarged and elongated corrosion resistant tank 12 which may be formed of galvanized steel, concrete, or any other suitable material capable of being embedded in the earth, sustaining its shape, and resisting deterioration.

Secured peripherally about the inner surface of the tank 12 immediately below the ground level located top edge 14 thereof is a support shoulder defining member 16 which receives two layers of grate panels 18 and 20. The panels 18 are pivotally mounted adjacent each tank end wall 22 for movement between a first horizontal position supported on the peripheral shoulder defining member 16, and a second vertical position, paralleling the adjacent end walls 22. The two grate panels 20 are pivotally mounted adjacent each tank side wall 24 for movement between a first horizontal position overlying and supported on the horizontally positioned grate panels 18 and a second position projecting vertically upward from the tank 12 immediately adjacent and parallel to the elongated side walls 24. The height of the grate panels 20 are to be `such whereby the two panels 20, when positioned horizontally, combine so as to cornpletely cover the top of the tank 12 and constitute a support surface for any load to which the location area might be subjected during normal usage. The grate panels 18, by'the same token, are of substantially equal height with the panels 20 thereby, noting FIGURE 1, in most instances actually terminating short of each other when positioned horizontally, while at the same time providing a substantaial support base for a lmajor portion of the grate panels 20. When the panels 18 and 20 are vertically orientated a peripheral safety barrier, preferably approximately two and one-half to three feet high, is provided about the top of the tank 12. This barrier will of course be stabilized through the provision of suitable means for inter-connecting the adjacent ends of the grate panels 18 and 20, and will thereby provide for the protection of persons working about the machine during the unloading operation. Furthermore, the limiting of the height of the grate panels to approximately two and one-half to three feet is particularly significant in that this height can be easily cleared by a conventional dump truck, thereby allowing for a dumping of a' load of snow and possibly ice into the tank 12 without lowering or otherwise removing the barrier formed by the adjacent vertically positioned grate panels 18 and 20. The actual hinged or pivoted mounting of the panels 18 and 20 can of course be effected in any desired manner, such as through the use of pivot pins extending from each of the side members of each of the panels and into the adjacent wall of the tank 12, or through the utilization of a conventional leaf-type hinge.

Mounted beneath the protective. grates is the snow 3 pulverizing unit 26. This pulverizing unit 26 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced shafts 28 rotatably mounted 0n the opposed end walls 22 of the tank 12, as well as and at an intermediate point therealong, by means of suitable bearing type supports 30. Each of the shafts 28, at one end thereof, continues through the adjacent end wall 22 and into a secondary buried tank 32 within which the various power producing -means are located. The shafts 28 within the tank 32 may extend completely thereacross for a support of the remote end thereof by a suitable bearing support 34 similar to the supports 30 associated with the shaft 28 within the main tank 12. Each of the shafts 28 has a series of chopping or pulverizing blades 36 affixed thereto for rotation therewith. The blades on each of the shafts 28 are located at equally spaced points therealong within the tank 12 with each blade being orientated at a rotated 90 degrees from the adjacent blades so as to insure maximum contact with the normally compacted snow being introduced into the tank 12. By the same token, as will be readily appreciated from FIGURE 2, each of the blades 36 will curve outwardly and forwardly, along the path of rotation, from diametrically opposed sides of the corresponding shaft 28. The length of the blades 36, as well as their exact orientation relative to each other and the blades of the adjacent shaft 28, will of course be such so as to allow for a free rotation thereof, with the actual spacing between the blades 36 mounted on the two shafts 28 being such so as to obtain the maximum pulverizing action for the particular nature of the snow or ice normally encountered in a particular environment.

The driving of the shafts 28 is achieved through the utilization of an electric motor or the like 38 mounted upon an appropriate base or platform 40 within the machinery tank 32. This motor 38 has an appropriate drive gear 42 mounted on the drive shaft 44 thereof. The gear 42, through au endless chain 46, drives one shaft 28 by engagement of the chain 46 over a gear 48 keyed directly to this one shaft 28, and driving the other shaft 28 by an engagement of the chain over a gear 50 mounted on an auxiliary shaft 49 which in turn mounts a gear 51 meshed with gear 52 keyed directly to the second pulverizing shaft 28. The two shafts are thereby simultaneously driven inwardly relative to each other. This particular gear arrangement will be best appreciated from FIGURE 3. i

Immediately below the pulverizing unit 26, and also extending along the full length of the tank 12, is the snow melting unit 54. This unit 54 comprises a plurality of laterally spaced electric rods 56, each extending transversely across the tank 12 and being supported on suitable insulated supports 58 afiixed along the side walls 24. These rods 56 are of course all interconnected both to each other and to a source of electrical power which will also be located within the machinery tank 32. It is contemplated that the rods 56 be so spaced from each other as to come into contact with a major portion of the pulverized snow falling to and through the melting unit 54, thereby effecting a substantially complete melting of the pulverized snow for a subsequent disposal through a grate 60 located centrally within the bottom wall 62 of lthe tank 12 and communicated directly with a storm sewer 64 or the like which in turn constitutes a portion of or leads directly to the municipal sewer system. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the snow originally introduced through the top of the tank 12 ultimately runs off through the sewer system in the form of water. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the drainage of the water through the grate 60, the bottom wall or oor 62 of the tank 12 may include a slight slope thereto leading to the grate 60.

While such a system constitutes a highly efiicient means for disposing of large quantities of snow, the snow delivered to the machine by -means of dump trucks or the like frequently contains large amounts of additional e 4f debris which, if allowed to collect on the grate`60 or enter the storm sewer 64, would greatly inhibit the drainage of the melted snow therethrough, and could ultimately cause a complete blockage thereof. In order to avoid this problem, a debris removing unit 66 is provided within the tank 12 immediately above the bottom 62. This unit 66 comprises a series of longitudinally spaced transversely extending brushes 68 which, during the operation of the machine 10, constantly sweep longitudinally along the bottom 62 of the tank 12 so asto dispose of any accumulated debris through a movement of the debris into a second end-located tank 70 provided at the end of the main tank 12 opposite from the tank 32, the debris being introduced into the tank 70- through an appropriate opening 72 provided in the adjacent main tank end wall 22 as will be readily appreciated from FIGURE 1.

Each of the brushes 68, in addition to the sweeping bristles 74, also includes a transversely elongated bristle mounting spline or bar 56 which is affixed, at the Opposite ends thereof, to a pair of endless chains 78. The chains 78, located adjacent the opposed side walls 24 of the main tank 12, are in turn engaged about, in each instance, a pair of sprockets or gears aixed to a pair of shafts 82 extending transversely across the main tank 12 adjacent the ends thereof. The upper and lower runs of each of the chains 78, between the shaft mounted gears 80 about which they are engaged, will be suitably supported by backing plates 84 which, noting FIGURE 2, engage under each of the upper chain runs and over each of the lower chain runs. In this manner, not only is the upper chain run of each chain 78 properly supported during its return movement, but also, each of the lower chain runs is maintained at a fixed elevation so as to insure a proper brushing engagement of the bristles 74 with the bottom 62 of the tank 12. The driving of the chains 78, and thereby the sequential movement of the brushes 68 along the bottom 62 of the tank 12, is effected through meshed beveled gears 86 and 88, one atixed to the chain shaft 82 located adjacent the machinery tank 32, and the other engaged therewith and mounted on a rotatably mounted shaft 90 projecting through the adjacent end wall 22 and appropriately driven from a second motor 92 through an endless chain 94 engaged about the drive gear 96 on the motor 92 and a second gear 98 fixed to the shaft 90. In this manner, upon operation of the motor 92, the debris removing unit 66 will commence operation with the transversely elongated brushes 68 being sequentially moved along the bottom 62 of the tank 12 so as to move any accumulated debris therealong away from the drainage grate 60 and into the debris receiving end tank 70 through the end wall opening 72, the brushes 68 continuing in an endless manner through the tank 12. f

The debris receiving tank 70 is in turn provided with a drainage or grate fioor which enables a draining of any water introduced thereinto through an appropriate pipe or channel defining member 102 into the main storm sewer 64. It will of course be appreciated that the main portion of the water will drain directly from the main tank 12 through the grate 60. The debris receiving tank 70 will naturally have to be cleaned at inter-vals as the debris accumulates therein. However, it is contemplated that the draining fioor 100 therein be so located below the opening 72 through which the debris is introduced as to make such cleanings infrequent. In order to provide access into the tank 70 for cleaning, a separate removable grate 104 is provided at the upper end thereof on a suitable internal peripheral supporting shoulder defining member 106. Along the same lines, a suitable waterproof cover 108 is similarly provided for the upper end of the machinery tank 32, the cover 108 if so desired, actually constituting two overlying plates forming a positive Weather-tight shield.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a unique snow disposal machine has been defined, this machine being capable of location in any downtown area without requiring the elimination of any normal surface area for parking spaces or the like, excepting during an actual use of the machine. In such use, the buried -machine receives large loads of snow, normally from dump trucks or the like, and initially pulverizes and subsequently melts the pulverized snow for the disposal of the resultant water through the municipal sewerage system. In conjunction with the receiving and disposing of the loads of snow, specific provision is made for the removal of any associated debris and in turn which avoids a clogging of the machine or sewer system and allows the continued efficient operation of the machine without frequent work stoppages such as would be necessary were specific provision not made for the removal of debris. Also of significance with regard to the -use of the machine, is the utilization of the covering grates as a means for providing a safety barrier completely about the snow receiving tank, this being done without effecting the snow receiving nature of the tank. Further, while not speciiically illustrated, the instant invention contemplates the optional provision of an easily opened cover directly below the grates for the purpose of retaining heat within the tank 12 should truck loads of snow be arriving several minutes apart. This cover can be in the nature of a slat screen mounted on a spring biased rod in the manner of a conventional window shade for selective extension across the tank.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A snow disposal machine comprising an enlarged tank, snow pulverizing means mounted within the upper portion of Said tank, snow melting means mounted within said tank below said pulverizing means, water draining means communicated with the lower portion of said tank, debris removing means located in said tank between said draining means and said snow melting means for effecting a removal of debris prior to entry into said draining means, cover means mounted on said tank and movable between a rst position overlying and enclosing said tank, and a second position defining a protective vertically extending barrier peripherally about said tank, said debris removing means comprising means laterally movable across the bottom of said tank in debris moving orientation relative thereto, and an end tank mounted at the far end of said first tank along the path of movement of said debris moving means for the reception and retention of said debris remote from said iirst tank draining means, `said means for moving the debris comprising a plurality of transversely elongated brushes mounted for continuous 'sequential movement along the bottom portion of said tank.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said cover means comprises four panels, each of said panels being hingedly mounted adjacent one wall of said tank, said panels constituting a lower pair of panels and an upper pair of panels, said upper panels, when horizontally orientated, combining to completely cover said tank.

3. The machine of claim 2 wherein 'said end tank includes a drain floor and means communicating said drain iioor with the draining means associated with said first tank.

4. The machine of claim 3 wherein said pulverizing means comprises a plurality of elongated shafts spanning said tank, a plurality of longitudinally 'spaced blades mounted on said shaft, and means for rotatably driving said shafts yand the blades mounted thereon.

5. A snow disposal machine comprising an enlarged tank, snow pulverizing means mounted within the upper portion of said tank, snow melting means mounted within said tank below said pulverizing means, water draining means communicated with the lower portion of said tank, debris removing means located in said tank between said draining means and said snow melting means for effecting a removal of debris prior to entry into said draining means, said debris removing means comprising means laterally movable across the bottom of said tank in debris moving orientation relative thereto, and a tank mounted at the far end of said first tank along the path of movement of said debris moving means for the reception and retention of said debris remote from said first tank draining means, said means for moving the debris comprising a plurality of transversely elongated brushes mounted for continuous sequential movement along the bottom portion of said first tank.

6. The machine of claim 5 wherein the tank mounted at the far end of said first tank includes a drain door and means communicating said drain floor with the draining means associated with said rst tank.

7. The machine of claim 5 wherein said pulverizing means comprises a pair of laterally spaced elongated shafts spanning said first tank, a plurality of longitudinally spaced blades mounted on each of said shafts, and means for rotatably driving said shaft and the blades mounted thereon.

8. A snow disposal machine comprising an enlarged tank, snow melting means mounted within said tank above the lower portion thereof, water draining means communicated with the lower portion of said tank, debris removing means located in said tank between said draining means and said meltingmeans for effecting a removal of debris prior to entry into said draining means, said debris removing means comprising means laterally movable across the bottom of said tank in debris moving orientation relative thereto, and a debris receiving area at the far end of said tank along the path of movement of said debris moving means for the reception and retention of said debris remote from said tank draining means, said means for moving the debris comprising a plurality of transversely elongated brushes mounted for continuous sequential movement along the bottom p0rtion of said tank.

9. The machine of claim 8 including snow pulverizing means mounted within the upper portion of said tank above said snow melting means.

10. The machine of claim 8 including cover means, said cover means comprising four panels, said tank being rectangular and comprising four substantially vertical walls, each of said panels being hingedly mounted adjacent the upper edge of one wall of said tank, said panels being movable between a first position overlying and covering said tank, and a second position defining a protective equal height vertically extending barrier completely about said tank, said panels, in the first position, constituting a lower pair of panels and an upper pair of panels, said upper pair of panels combining to completely cover said tank.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 642,314 1/190() Finigan 126-3435 X 1,447,948 3/1923 Guerin 126-3435 1,665,503 4/1928 McClave et al. 126-3435 2,592,267 4/1952 Gangemi et al. 126-3435 3,140,707 7/ 1964 Spinelli 126-3435 3,327,659 6/1967 Nolan et al. 126-3435 X CHARLES J. MYHRE, Primary Examiner. 

